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Opel: KIMI sharing project with Rocks Electric in Gera residential area
In a six-month project on vehicle sharing with light electric vehicles, Autohaus Exner, TAG Wohnen, and Fischer Academy explored the potential of the Opel Rocks Electric in urban areas. The KIMI project (Small, Intelligent, Mobile, Innovative) introduced a type of “free vehicle-sharing” with the L6e vehicle in Gera. The organization of the project was handled by the apprentices of the participating partners. Now, a positive conclusion has been drawn: the two Rocks Electric vehicles were hardly idle for a day, with the organizers recording more than 100 rentals between September 2022 and February 2023.
“The KIMI project, which the partners initiated completely independently, demonstrates how well the Opel Rocks Electric is received by the youth and how it can advance locally emission-free mobility in urban areas for the future. The commitment of all those involved and the great response to the new mobility offer make KIMI a true flagship project with a pioneering character,” says Opel Germany Sales Director Stefan Moldaner.
With Opel Rocks Electric: Advancing future-oriented mobility offerings
It all began with the question: How can the acceptance of new mobility offerings be increased while simultaneously making urban living more attractive? “For a growing number of renters, mobility offerings in the residential neighborhood are a very important criterion when choosing their apartment,” explains Claudius Oleszak, Regional Director of Thuringia for the housing company TAG Wohnen.
After initiating mobility projects in Gera with an autonomously driving minibus and e-scooters for seniors, the focus was now to be on the youth, who normally rely on public transportation. To this end, the three partners TAG Wohnen, the driving school Fischer Academy, and Autohaus Exner joined forces. “We already had the ideal vehicle for this – our Opel Rocks Electric,” says Autohaus Managing Director Jörg Neupert. 2.41 meters short, space for two people plus hand luggage, up to 45 km/h fast, and a WLTP range of up to 75 kilometers – perfect for routes in and around the city.
“We provided two examples of the Rocks Electric free of charge and then simply got started together – without funding measures or anything similar. After all, we wanted to advance mobility for young people now and not wait any longer,” explains Neupert.
Project KIMI: By Young People for Young People
This is how the participants brought their plan to reality: In the Gera-Lusan residential area and at the Fischer Academy, the only driving school boarding school in Germany, in the city center, a location with a charging station for the Opel Rocks Electric was set up. Here, youngsters from the age of 15 could borrow the Rocks Electric for one to two days free of charge. The trainees from the involved partners were responsible for the project name – as well as for the entire subsequent organization and processing. The principle was to create a "project by young people for young people." Creating the website, through which young drivers could easily register for the KIMI loan, as well as the consultation, appointment coordination, creation of rental contracts, handover, briefing, and return of the vehicles – all this was done by the junior staff of TAG Wohnen and Fischer Academy. For the users, borrowing was easy: sign up, come by, and bring parental consent the first time. TAG Wohnen provided a charging card, making the entire offer free for the young drivers.
High Demand: Success Balance from User and Organizational Side
Within a short period, the project – the first nationwide cooperation between car manufacturer, housing association, and driving school – became a success. And in multiple ways.
- Demand was high: The responsible parties recorded more than 100 rentals during the project period. The predominantly young users were enthusiastic about the new individual and locally emission-free mobility alternative.
- The high appreciation of the new offer is also shown by the fact that the two Opel Rocks Electrics were always returned in top condition by the young drivers over the entire six months.
- The organization also ran smoothly. "We are thrilled with what the trainees have achieved, how well they have handled this project and the overall planning independently," concluded driving school manager Mike Fischer, Claudius Oleszak, and Jörg Neupert.
- Additionally, the Opel Rocks Electric has shown its potential not only for urban mobility but also for integration into the driving school. Mike Fischer: "The concept convinced us. The Opel Rocks Electric is now part of our AM driving license training. Thus, the youngsters complete two driving lessons on the battery-electric light vehicle during this time." Furthermore, the innovative city electric vehicle from Opel represents a new, attractive offer for the driving school students, distinguishing it from competitors.
At the same time, the project, now initially concluded, points the way for further collaborations and planning, the creators believe. TAG Wohnen intends to continue the project soon at the next test location in Salzgitter. The Exner car dealership is also planning new joint projects in Gera and other locations with alternative drive concepts to “further promote pioneering mobility,” as they say.
Translated automatically from German.
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